Spring 2002 Journal
March 24th
The South Island is a pretty rad place, the mountains, the coast, the whole shebang. Once again today was a great day. After rolling through Arthur's Pass National Park yesterday evening we awoke at Cass Field Station with a chance to really take in the magnitude of the mountains. The entire climate is different up here in the "high country" of New Zealand. The constant motion of the tectonic plates underneath and around has created an intense upheaval of rock. Rugged peaks surround us and vast valleys lay at our feet.
Emerald lakes are diamonds amongst the mountains, and snow-covered peaks sparkle from above as scree chutes poor down the slopes into long braided river systems. It appears that this land is untouched and unaltered by humans in any way. Small sheep stations poke out from the hillsides. In no way would I ever give up the learning experience that I am receiving in this beautiful country.
Learning the ecology of beech forests and being able to connect different parts of the world through them is awesome. There are so many processes at work here on Earth it makes me feel so very insignificant. Every organism and cycle has its place and the smallest of niches is important to the survival of all. I have truly experience a new level of our existence as humans and really came to realize how dependent upon what the Earth provides us with we really are.
Well for now I must retire to my nest in the cabin here at Cass. It has been a remarkable adventure thus far and I cannot even begin to put down my thoughts and ideas at the moment....... Hasta mañana.
Conor
Student Entry: March 24th, cont.